The London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) today announces the ten musicians selected as its 2026/27 Conservatoire Scholars, a cohort of exceptional young artists whose achievements already include winning BBC Young Musician, performing at Carnegie Hall and Wigmore Hall and recording internationally released albums.
Yet despite these achievements, all ten Scholars face significant financial barriers to postgraduate study. Like many emerging classical musicians, they are navigating rising living costs and the financial demands of elite musical training at a point when many early-career opportunities offer limited financial security.
Created in partnership with philanthropists and music lovers Alex and Elena Gerko, the LSO Conservatoire Scholarships programme exists to ensure that exceptional talent is not prevented from flourishing because of economic circumstance. The programme provides grants of up to £16,000 per academic year towards living and maintenance costs, alongside mentoring, career guidance and professional development opportunities from members of the London Symphony Orchestra.
The 2026/27 LSO Conservatoire Scholars are: Alice Abram, cello; Jordan Ashman, percussion; Jordan Brooks, violin; Emma Close, trombone; Mateus Colares de Souza, oboe; Milda Daunoraitė, piano; Tähe-Lee Liiv, piano; Sadra Mahshidfar, piano; Jonasz Szachtmajer, violin; and Yihan Zhao, collaborative piano.
The cohort brings together musicians from Britain, South Africa, Poland, Estonia, Lithuania, Iran, Israel and China.
Among the new Scholars are BBC Young Musician 2022 winner Jordan Ashman; South African violinist Jordan Brooks, a major prize-winner at the Royal Over-Seas League International Music Competition; Estonian pianist Tähe-Lee Liiv, selected by Sir András Schiff for his Building Bridges concert series; Lithuanian pianist Milda Daunoraitė, whose performances have taken her to Wigmore Hall, the Concertgebouw and the UN Headquarters in Geneva; and Polish violinist Jonasz Szachtmajer, who has appeared at venues including Carnegie Hall and the Royal Festival Hall.
John Harte, LSO Managing Director, said:
‘One of the misconceptions about classical music is that success and financial security arrive at the same time. In reality, many of today’s most talented young musicians are balancing intensive study, professional engagements and significant financial pressures. Several members of this year’s cohort are already building impressive professional reputations. Yet without financial support, postgraduate study remains difficult or, in some cases, simply unattainable. We are delighted to welcome this extraordinary group of musicians, and hugely grateful for the generosity that makes it possible for them to continue their artistic development.’
Just three years after launching, the programme is already demonstrating significant impact. Alumni have gone on to win major international competitions, secure prestigious Young Artist positions, join leading professional organisations and establish careers as soloists, chamber musicians and orchestral players. Among them is violist Elliot Kempton, whose Fibonacci Quartet has emerged as one of Europe’s leading string quartets and was recently selected for ECHO Rising Stars 2027–28.
Scholar Alice Abram (Royal Academy of Music) said:
‘This life-changing support means so much to me and my family and will allow me to focus fully on my studies and music making. I am especially looking forward to learning from the incredible musicians of the LSO and being part of such inspiring and exciting opportunities that would not have been possible for me without this support.’
Scholar Jordan Brooks (Royal College of Music) said:
‘I am very grateful for the generosity of the LSO scholarship. I am thrilled to work and learn with mentors from an orchestra that I have looked up to for many years.’
The Scholarship programme forms part of the Emerging Artists strand of LSO Discovery, the Orchestra’s learning and community programme, which provides opportunities for performers, creators and participants from all backgrounds.
Applications for the next cohort of Conservatoire Scholars will open on Thursday 19 November 2026.
Further information is available at the LSO Conservatoire Scholarships webpage, lso.co.uk/scholarships.
Media Enquiries
Christopher Millard, London Symphony Orchestra
chris.millard@lso.co.uk | +44 (0)7545 502226
Notes to Editors
The LSO Conservatoire Scholarships programmes, launched in 2023 and made possible by Alex and Elena Gerko, is open to postgraduate instrumentalists of any age or nationality who are facing financial barriers, have been awarded a scholarship place for a postgraduate course at one of the world’s leading conservatoires focused on classical study of an orchestra instrument, and have previously studied at undergraduate level at a UK conservatoire or university. Recipients receive up to £16,000 per academic year to enable them to focus fully on their studies, whilst benefiting from personalised support and mentoring from LSO musicians.
About the London Symphony Orchestra
The LSO was founded in 1904 and is established as a world-leading orchestra. Resident at the Barbican Centre, the Orchestra also programs heavily at its community and rehearsal venue, LSO St Luke’s. Through its LSO Discovery wing, the Orchestra connects with over 60,000 people annually via community, health, and education schemes. For more information, visit the London Symphony Orchestra Official Website.
